I should use this

I really should. I've redesigned it so I can talk about one of my favorite subjects - food! :-)

Review of a Review

For my VCT synthesis course, I must read "Making Things Happen" by Scott Berkun. I actually, for the most part, like this text. Although I found it a little dull at one point during the first chapter, Berkun already has won some points from me for adding a Douglas Adams quote and citing Anthony Bourdain (famous for his show No Reservations on the Travel Channel). I can't wait to personally read Bourdain's book Kitchen Confidential.

And watch the next new episode of NR tonight at 10 PM EST/9PM CT on the Travel Channel (42 via Time Warner Cable). /blatant promo>

"First, I would like to mention that I appreciate Scott Berkun’s tone of writing. It’s exactly as he promised, narrative, sometimes comical, and overall straight to the point.

I have to agree with what he says in the preface and appreciate the fact that he will not use big theory and jargon and try to keep things simple.

As Berkun goes about describing three key lessons about project managing, I was mentally caught on number two (that project management is simple, but not easy) for a while. Berkun described what he meant by “simple” and how it was not the same as easy. This lead me to think about everyday actions I complete or projects I’ve worked on that are simple, but not necessarily easy. The first one that jumps out is, of course, exercising [I'm trying to be a healthier person physically, so this really is at the forefront of my mind]. A simple idea (much like Berkun’s example of running a marathon) but nowhere near easy. Same goes for photography, it is simple – point camera, press shutter, take picture. And it can be easy, but it’s not if you want a well composed image with correct lighting.

Okay, maybe photography isn’t that simple.

But still, I feel like I understood what Berkun was getting at. I feel like I can apply his lesson of “simple view” to this entire semester so I will hopefully stop worrying about everything that has to be done. The “simple view” of this semester is to make ‘me’ ready for the working world. This requires so much, so it’s not easy, but it is simple.

I also hope to have a chance to observe a kitchen as Berkun suggested, or, at least, read the book Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (someone I admire, I’m a big fan of his show on the Travel Channel – No Reservations).

The idea of a beginners’ mind is not completely new to me, but it was a new way of describing the process of learning (which never stops). It is my personal belief that we learn every day of our lives, whether we like it/realize it or not. And I try to actually learn more than just what happens around me. I try to pursue knowledge in whatever subject I care about (advertising, marketing, astronomy, history, to name a few). However, I think if I keep a beginners mind about all of the above subjects, I may learn more and I may see new paths that haven’t been used.

The beginners mind is the idea that one cannot learn if he or she’s mind is full, so one must keep an open/empty mind in order for there to be room for more knowledge.

I do recognize that I struggle with keeping an open mind at times (often when I tell myself I am unable to do something – how can I know if I haven’t really tried and tried again?).

I can already see that this text will be informative, helpful, and comforting throughout this semester. I will end my post with the Douglas Adams quote that Berkun chose to place before “Learning from failure” section – for I find it incredibly apropo:

“Human beings, who are almost unique [among animals] in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” – Douglas Adams"

My Feelings on the current semester....

this is my last semester (yay)
but I have a huge final project to do (gah!).

I get to move on with my life come May (yay)
but that means finding a job in this economy (gah!).

Things have fizzled out with a guy(blah)
but I wan't that into him to begin with (meh).

However, I kind of just want to go out and get drinks with someone tonight... but don't have anyone to go with (blah, meh).

It's combo platter day on Cothop.

The beginning...

I am taking one of the final courses required for my major this semester at school. Seeing as I am graduating in May, I must take this course now. Part of the course requirements is weekly journaling on our school sponsored blogs. I will be reposting these blogs here and adding comments. Expletives could be expected, but they'll be censored.

I realize this class will be incredibly helpful when looking for a job after graduation. But I am not looking forward to it. I've been in a state of panic for the past couple of days. I have a client now, but still.... The lyric "Freak out!" keeps running on an infinite loop in my mind.

Anyways, here's the first post:

"I have just participated in my first lab for VCT 4670, the synthesis course for VCT. Essentially, it is the final course for the VCT degree that will use everything I have learned so far.

Considering that I have been at BGSU since the fall of 2005, that's a lot of learning to apply.

With this class I hope, beyond discovering my limits and my abilities, to have more confidence in the abilities I do have.

The first step in this class is to find a client with a visual communication problem. A seemingly simple process, I sometimes panic while thinking about what the class requires the client to have as a visual communication problem.

However, I do have a few ideas.

One is to re-approach Nellie's Bagel Deli and Ice Cream Pub located in downtown BG. A local business that opened approximately three years ago, they are still struggling to get noticed in the local community and economy. Last semester I approached them during VCT 4600 and created a series of 7 advertisements for them.

I still need to show Nellie's these final advertisements. If they are pleased with them, I will propose to continue making advertisements for them that will hopefully get them access to the local economy.

Discussing their business with a couple of classmates lead me to realize that Nellie's is suffering from a branding and corporate identity issue. Locals may know that the restaurant exists, but they don't have much reason to utilize this business.

A classmate has promised me he will try Nellie's during the next week and give me his opinion on their product.

I enjoy Nellie's product myself (when regarding Nellie's bagel sandwiches) and that happened because I simply tried their product."

New Years Resolutions *question mark*

Some potential new year resolutions for myself:

1. Start exercising on a more regular basis. Like, three times a week, at LEAST. Krav twice a week only counts as one time - not enough cardio.

2. Learn how to spell exercise.

3. Continue going to Krav Maga twice a week.

4. Cook a new dish (or favorite, non-easy dish) once a week or, at least, twice a month.

5. Learn to be happier with what I have and current situations.

6. Try not to gripe so much to other people about things that go wrong. Everyone has shit hitting the fan.

7. Learn to believe in myself.

8. Learn to see myself as beautiful. Not just pretty or cute. But b-e-a-utiful. May take more than one year.

9. Be a better friend. This means learning to shut up when others need someone to listen.

10. Graduate from BGSU with a GPA above 3.5 (so far on track).

11. Apply to grad schools for a MBA with a specialization marketing. Take MCAT to do so.

12.... suggestions?

Dreary Days Made Cozy

Currently I'm sitting in my local Panera, enjoying a cup of coffee and a shortbread cookie. There is a locally owned coffee shop I could patronize, but it's usually kind of loud and the aroma of the place can give me a headache if I'm there too long.

[I think I conditioned myself to get that aroma-induced headache. I remember spending a lot of time in that shop two summers ago working on a particularly difficult Flash assignment for an intro. web class. I am not very adept at web to begin with, so Flash was a headache unto itself. I thank a friend for all the help he gave, I got an 'A' thanks to him.]

So, today, I've patronized the local Panera. There is a big bonus to this Panera over the local coffee shop - a fireplace. It's making this incredibly dreary November day (chilly, low overcast skies, drizzle, windy) incredibly cozy instead. It's true, the fireplace isn't "real". There are real flames, but they're generated from gas around what I can only assume are ceramic logs.

Sitting here got me to thinking about many humans attraction to fire. Not a new subject, but it's still interesting to ponder how we, as humans, willingly bring a destructive force into our dwellings. Now in some countries this is because it is the main source for cooking food and/or heat. But in many, like here in the USA, it has become something that is comforting.

A lot of nostalgia can be generated with just the image of a fireplace. Especially around the holidays in the late fall and winter.

I am a nostalgic and romantic by nature and during these dreary days I find myself yearning to be next to a lit fireplace more often than anywhere else. I wonder if I'm the only one.

One of my favorite things....

XKCD webcomic

Especially today's.

It talks about science and math and many things geek. I heart it with all my heart. Okay, not all. But there's a good portion of the webcomic section that xkcd overtakes.

If you haven't read this webcomic, and you like jokes about physics and geekdom, then you should read it. Now. I'll wait. Go on. I'll just finish reading A Brief History of Time while you do that. Don't worry about me.